Bridge for stringed musical instruments



'May 31, 1955 F, ALLERS 2,709,388

BRIDGE FOR STRINGED MUS ICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed July 5, 1952 United States Patent 2,7 99,388 BRIDGE F'UR STRENGED MUSEQAL RNSTRUMENTS Lawrence P. Alters, Kalamazoo, Mich, assignor to Gibson, Inc, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Application July 5, 1952, Serial No. 297,323 2 Claims. (Cl. 84--299) This invention relates to improvements in bridges for stringed musical instruments.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a combination bridge and tail piece for stringed musical instruments particularly adapted for use on flat topped guitars which are quite generally known or referred to as the Spanish type.

Second, to provide a bridge and tail piece for stringed musical instruments in which the bridge may be readily adjusted to meet the requirements of the user and one in which the string supporting bridge member is arranged relative to the strings to compensate for the varying gauge of the strings.

Third, to provide a bridge for stringed musical instruments which is highly effective to support and anchor the strings and at the same time is compact and attractive.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is pointed out in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a plan view of a guitar embodying my invention, the neck being partially broken away.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view in section on a line corresponding to 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view on a line corresponding to 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view partially in section on a line corresponding to l i of Fig. 1.

In the accompanying drawing it represents the body of the instrument and 2 the sounding board thereof, 3 the neck and d the strings which are connected to the tuning pins 5 as is usual in instruments of this type or as may be desired.

The combined bridge and tail piece of my invention comprises a base member 6 formed of wood or of other nonmetallic material and is secured to the sounding board by means of screws 7 or adhesive or both. The front edge 8 of the base member is inclined relative to the planes of the strings so that in effect the length of the strings is gradually increased toward the base string.

The base member is provided with a longitudinal extending slot 9 parallel to the front edge #3 of the base member and with horizontal recesses it} extending in wardly from the front edge of the base member and opening to the slot 9 at the ends thereof. The bridge piece or member 11; is desirably formed of relatively soft metal such as aluminum and has a longitudinally bowed string rest surface 12 which is transversely curved as shown in the drawings. Terminal portions of the strings are disposed in the holes 14 in the base plate which are properly spaced longitudinally of the bridge and secured therein by the wedging pins 15.

Ordinarily the tension on the strings serves to form slight notches in the string supporting face of the bridge member but if desired notches may be filed in the bridge member to prevent slippage of the strings on the curved surface of the bridge member. The bridge member is provided with downwardly projecting threaded posts 16 at the ends thereof, these posts being inserted through holes 17 provided therefor in the sounding board as shown in Fig. 2. The posts are supported by the rests 18 disposed on the bottoms of the recesses and threadmgly receiving the posts. The rests are provided with knurled finger pieces 19 which project from the bridge base member at the front thereof so that they are conveniently accessible for adjusting the bridge member and at the same time are located so they are not conspicuous and are not likely to be accidently contacted while the instrument is being handled or used.

The bridge of my invention is capable of a wide range of adjustment, is strong and durable and may be installed on new instruments or readily applied to instruments that were originally equipped with a different type of bridge.

I have illustrated and described my invention in a highly practical embodiment thereof. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations which I contemplate as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my invention as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what i claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A combined bridge and tail piece for guitars and like stringed musical instruments comprising, a base member mountable on the sounding board of an instrument in supported relation thereto and having a side surface adapted to extend generally perpendicularly and transversely with respect to the strings, said member having a vertical slot formed therein and extending longitudinally thereof in inwardly spaced generally parallel relation to said side surface, said member further having horizontal recesses formed therein at the ends of and intersecting said slot below the top of the slot and above the bottom of said member and opening through said side surface, a bridge piece vertically slidably received in said slot and having end portions overlying said recesses, downwardly extending threaded posts secured to the end portions of said bridge piece and extending downwardly through the ends of said slot and recesses, and rests for said bridge piece threaded on said posts and resting on the bottoms of said recesses and projecting from the fronts of said recesses for manipulation, said member having means including a series of holes formed therein in a line oblique to said side surface and on the opposite side of said bridge piece from said side surface to receive the ends of strings and anchor pins therefor to secure strings to said base member.

2. A combined bridge and tail piece for guitars and like stringed musical instruments comprising, a base member mountable on the sounding board of an instrument in supported relation thereto and having a side surface adapted to extend generally perpendicularly and trans versely with respect to the strings, said member having a vertical slot formed therein and extending longitudinally thereof in inwardly spaced generally parallel relation to said side surface, said member further having horizontal recesses formed therein at the ends of and intersecting said slot below the top of the slot and opening through said side surface, a bridge piece vertically slitlably received in said slot and having end portions overlying said recesses, downwardly extending threaded posts secured to the end portions of said bridge piece and extending downwardly through the ends of said slot and recesses, and rests for said bridge piece threaded on said posts and projecting from the fronts of said recesses for manipulation, said member having means on the opposite side of said bridge piece from said side surface to secure strings to said base member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,565,253 Melita Aug. 21, 1951 

